Portsmouth fan banned from games after entering ladies' toilets and 'identifying' as woman

John Westwood, the Portsmouth Football Club fan widely recognised due to his distinct appearance and bell-ringing at Fratton Park, has been banned from his club's next two fixtures after entering a women's toilet. He walked into the female toilets and claimed that he was "transgender".

Following the incident, the heavily tattoed bookseller said he meant "no malice" and was "just having a laugh and a giggle" because it was "women's day."

But Pompey have not seen the funny side of the incident, issuing the two-game ban.

Speaking to local outlet The News, Mr Westwood added: "I walked into the passageway before the toilets and didn’t go any further.

"This woman came out of the toilets and told me to get out, so I left. I was just having a laugh and a giggle. Given it was women’s day, I thought I would identify as a woman to show solidarity with them. There was no malice intended."

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The incident occurred during Portsmouth's League 1 clash with Sheffield Wednesday. The game was dedicated to the Her Game Too campaign, which aims to raise awareness of sexism in football.

This isn't the first time Mr Westwood has landed himself in hot water at the club.

Portsmouth have given him four suspensions this season alone.

Mr Westwood was previously punished for making a lewd gesture at a friendly game against Coventry City, urinating against a wall away at Forest Green Rovers, and making an offensive gesture with his bell last month at Barnsley.

The Portsmouth super-fan will now miss his club's games at Accrington Stanley on Tuesday and Saturday's away trip to Bristol Rovers.

Some supporters have even demanded that Mr Westwood be banned permanently.

Mr Westwood added: "If I sing it’s a geezers club, I get told off, and if I identify as a woman, I also get told off. You’re not allowed to make light of anything anymore.

"Offence isn’t against the law and we’re all gonna offend someone at some point. That’s life and people have to get on with it.

"It seems to me now that minorities in this world are telling the majorities what they can and cannot think. I’m for equality but they cannot foist their ideas on people."